More than two decades after the speedway closed, some of its most passionate supporters gauge the historical significance of “The River,” as well as the opportunities available to modern racing fans and drivers.
Q&A with Demp Bradford, president of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission
Certain activities are closely associated with Asheville: sampling local craft brews, tubing down the French Broad River, eating one’s own weight in barbecue. If Demp Bradford, president of the Asheville Buncombe Regional Sports Commission, has his way, professional sports will become quintessentially Asheville, too. Bradford, a native of the North Carolina Piedmont, became interested in […]
Asheville debuts esports leagues
At a time when COVID-19 makes meeting up for in-person sports less safe, says Asheville Parks and Recreation staffer Maxime Pierre, virtual activities provide an outlet for competition and help to keep the department relevant. But he says video games also allow the city to engage with a larger group of residents than had been served through traditional sports.
Costumed adventures allow locals to transcend time and space
Whether playing a role in an elaborate fantasy scenario or serving as historical interpreters, many adventurous souls in Western North Carolina say that dressing up as someone from another time and place helps transport them to a different reality.
Smart Bets: Mountain Heritage Day
Western Carolina University’s annual celebration of Southern Appalachian returns to campus on Sept. 28.
News Briefs: New N.C. House maps for Buncombe, Eastern Band re-elects Sneed
As currently drawn, the proposed districts would shift representation for large areas of Buncombe County. A 2011 state law also required that districts for the Buncombe County Board of Commissioners match those of the county’s House representatives. As currently drawn, the maps would move Commissioner Jasmine Beach-Ferrara from District 1 to District 2, shift Al Whitesides from District 1 to District 3 and reassign Amanda Edwards from District 2 to District 1.
Marcus ‘Mook’ Cunningham excels in hip-hop and pro wrestling
The local multifaceted entertainer’s next pro wrestling match takes place Aug. 3 at the Fairview Community Center.
Asheville Archives: Babe Ruth’s short-lived death in Asheville, 1925
In 1925, Babe Ruth and the New York Yankees were scheduled to play an exhibition game in Asheville. A bellyache and subsequent collapse would put a stop to Ruth’s play that day.
Zoë Mihalas gets young people outside
Mihalas received the Distinguished Service Award for Youth Education from Trout Unlimited last year for her work in creating a new generation of conservation-minded youth. She challenges young people to share photos of fishing or having outdoors fun with friends on Instagram to bridge the gap between nature and social media.
Resolutions: Combat obesity, curb stress, says Karla Furnari
Athlete and Buncombe County Special Olympics coordinator Karla Furnari says she’s trying to get into bed by 10 p.m. every night in 2019.
Resolutions: Mental health is key, says Jan Calder
Jan Calder, chief health and wellness officer at the Asheville YWCA, plans to take a new boxing class this year and try spin bikes. She advises setting health goals with an end date to provide a concrete target.
Area practitioners offer different takes on cause, treatment of leading foot complaint
Conventional and alternative practitioners differ on the causes, treatment and even the best name for common heel pain. But whether they believe the problem should be known as plantar fasciitis — indicating an inflammation of the tissues — or plantar fasciosis — a name that points to insufficient blood supply and resulting tissue deterioration, local practitioners agree that it’s the No. 1 reason people seek professional foot care.
Bodybuilder wins division title, comes in second overall
Jordan Hutchinson, the Fletcher bodybuilder profiled in the Sept. 12 issue of Xpress, won the light heavyweight division at the North Carolina National Physique Committee Muscle Heat bodybuilding show in Greensboro on Sept. 15, but just missed taking the overall title.
Local man seeks bodybuilding glory in Greensboro
Hendersonville resident Jordan Hutchinson is preparing for the North Carolina National Physique Committee Muscle Heat competition in Greensboro on Saturday, Sept. 15.
Tryon saddles up for World Equestrian Games
Outside of the Olympics, the World Equestrian Games (which, like the Olympics, take place every four years) are the biggest competition in the world of horse-related sports. And this year, those games will take place in horse-crazy Tryon. Ironically, the only local resident competing will ride for his native Ecuador.
18th annual Mountain Sports Festival returns Memorial Day weekend
The Mountain Sports Festival returns to Asheville’s Carrier Park from Friday, May 25, to Sunday, May 27, for its 18th year.
Conscious Party: Green Built Alliance Disc Golf Tournament
The fundraiser for the sustainable design nonprofit takes place April 14 at Lake Julian Park.
Power to the people: Best of WNC 2018 voting begins
With a far out feeling, voting has begun for the beloved annual Best of WNC awards. Only you can decide who’ll be feelin’ it in the new summer of love, when winners are announced this August. You have until 11:59 p.m. on the night of Saturday, April 28 to complete your ballot and make sure your voice is heard. […]
Smart Bets: Bike Love
Asheville on Bikes’ annual fundraiser takes place Feb. 24 at Salvage Station.
Conscious Party: T.C. Roberson alumni basketball game
Women’s and men’s basketball games take place Dec. 22 at T.C. Roberson High School to raise funds for the Sizemore family.
Local agencies work to improve water quality in Buncombe & Madison counties
This week, Xpress looks at the network of agencies and organizations working in Buncombe and Madison counties to improve water quality and position the French Broad as the region’s next great tourist attraction.